Busting thrift store myths with Ida Starck
When talking about second hand fashion influencers, I must mention Ida Starck (@idachristines). Ida was promoting second hand boutiques, second hand apps and busting thrift store myths before it was even a thing among fashion influencers.
We at Zadaa have talked a lot about the positive vibes that thrift stores create around themselves. Second hand communities tend to be positive because of the huge environmental benefits, the money you can save, the easiness to embrace your unique personality and of course you can earn easy cash by selling something you don’t use anymore.
Nowadays shopping preloved fashion is cool, but we heard a rumour that there are still some people that have the completely wrong picture about second hand stores. It’s time to convince these people!
These flea market myths are about get busted!
MYTH: Flea market items always stink.
Ida: “Less often true. Many of us already know that clothes should be washed before selling, so that the next owner will be more comfortable using them. I always wash flea clothes after purchase anyway, so no worries about smells!”
MYTH: People only sell old fashioned clothes on flea markets.
Ida: “Trends are so individual and the most trendy clothes are the ones where the wearer feels most confident. For me, a trendy piece of clothing is a barracks jacket with shoulder pads, for someone else it can be a polo top from the beginning of the 2000s. After all, both of these are basically old-fashioned, as both represent vintage from past decades. So old is trendy! 😉“
MYTH: The same clothes stay unsold in second hand stores, so you don’t have to visit them that often
Ida: “In recent years, more and more people have become interested in second-hand fashion, so the products move well! Of course, this depends on the location, and you can’t compare flea markets in small towns and big cities. So the goods change as often as there are buyers on the move. I notice that many people should make a change here. Putting clothes into circulation is a good responsible act in itself, but people should also primarily buy more used ones.“
MYTH: Never buy preloved shoes, those will ruin your feet.
Ida: “Wrong! I have found from fleas, e.g. many quality leather shoes that have been almost unused. When leather shoes are maintained from the beginning and worn by a cobbler, they last even better for the next wearer. I recently bought used authentic dad sneakers – Nike’s Air Max straight from the 90s!“
Let’s talk about the money that moves in second hand stores.
MYTH: At flea markets, everything is suspiciously cheap.
Ida: “Fast fashion, it’s suspiciously cheap! A t-shirt that costs €10 cannot be a responsible choice when the price includes the entire production, delivery and company profits, not to mention the non-existent wages of factory workers. At flea markets, the price depends entirely on the seller. Depending on various factors, such as condition, some products may be more affordable than others, but I myself am ready to pay as much, even more, for high-quality second-hand and vintage fashion than for a new product.“
MYTH: You can grossly over price your preloved items and those will still be bought.
Ida: “It’s not the stupid one who asks! If you know that there is a demand for a product of a certain style, then of course you should ask for the corresponding price. You can also think about what overpricing means for yourself. Depending on the situation, an “expensive” item can be something that you didn’t plan to buy, and you don’t find an immediate use for it, e.g. a sequin dress. On the other hand, for example, when you walk across a perfect leather jacket at a flea market, you don’t even look at the price tag when it’s a timeless and multi-purpose product that you’ve been considering buying for a long time. When pricing, you should think about whether you yourself would be willing to pay the same for the product.“
MYTH: You can’t make good money by selling at flea markets.
Ida: “You absolutely can, it depends on what and how much you sell. For example, you can make good money with branded clothes, because some people are really brand loyal. I think you can also make good, if not better, money with vintage products, because the older and well-preserved the garment or item, the more likely it will last for many more years. Some may also collect fashion from a particular decade. By maintaining clothes regularly and washing them correctly, their lifespan will be extended and their value will be preserved when the garment is transferred to a new owner. So as a rule of thumb, take good care of your things! ❤️“
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